Review of Faith and the Muse

Somewhere between the Cocteau Twins and the Cranes shines
Faith and the Muse. Ive been looking for a band who could meet my Dead
Can Dance, Cocteau Twins, Cranes and My Bloody Valentine needs, and
Metropolis Records (thank God!) has re-released all three of Faith and the Muses
original recordings: Elyria, Annwyn, Beneath the Waves and
Evidence of Heaven. Wildlife Removal

I have a feeling Faith and the Muses William Faith (ex-Christian Death,
Mephisto Walz, Sex Gang Children and Shadow Project member) and Monica Richards
(ex-Strange Boutique member) have finally formed the band theyve always wanted to
be in. Their musical styles range from gothic/darkwave to ethereal/ambient to industrial and
classical. The classical I can do without, but bring on the dark!

Here is a brief review of their three albums:

Elyria (1994 re-released 2001)

Elyria is a bit too experimental for me. I couldnt get a lock on any of the
songs, and they couldnt get a lock on me; however, the instrumentals are lovely.
The guitar work in Interlude:Annabell and Interlude:
Maleficio and Heal are enchanting, but thats about it for keepers.
The acoustics here remind me of the softer side of His Name is Alive. Epilogue:
Twilight is haunting. I keep seeing Nosferatu playing this by himself in the middle of his
church. Vervain is the one song that foreshadows what I believe the band is
striving for, and this force is finally displayed in Annwyn, Beneath the Waves.

Annwyn, Beneath the Waves (1996 re-released 2001)

If you like those heavy guitar instrumentals sculpted by My Bloody Valentine,
youll love Annwyns title track, Apparition, and
The Hand of Man. If youve been mourning the end of the Dead Can
Dance, youll adore The Birds of Rhiannon and Cantus.
Fade and Remain is angelic, music Id love to die to. Monica Richards
voice is hypnotic. At a distance, when I blur from the majesty created by the songs, Im
reminded of either Siouxsie from the Banshees or Allison from the Cranes.
This is incredible, and I hope you check it out. All you ex-children of the night, come back. Come
back and listen once again to anthems from darkness. Youll be in a path of shadows so
bright youre blinded at times and shivering with joy.

Evidence of Heaven (1999 re-released 2001)

This album is worth buying for one song: Shattered in Aspect. Its incredible.
That piano sounds like a changeling is keying it, and Monicas voice is, truly, evidence of
heaven. Too bad they bring back that classical sound way too many times throughout the album.
Scars Flown Proud could be a global goth dance floor classic, but I get the sense
the bands holding back. Im not going to frag the album any more, so Ill
end it here.

In summary, the album to get from Faith and The Muse is definitely Annwyn,
Beneath the Waves. Lets hope their next album has a producer who can draw
out the very best the duo has to offer and leave the classical behind. I hope William Faiths
spoken word poetry and singing is done as a side project because it takes up way too much
time on the albums. Lets face it: the voice of the band is Monicas.